Tourette Syndrome

The first symptoms of Tourette syndrome usually occur during childhood with an average onset of between 3 and 9 years old. The main symptom is tics—repetitive, involuntary movements or vocalizations. Tics are classified as simple (movements involving a limited number of muscle groups) or complex (patterns of movement involving multiple muscle groups).

Common simple motor tics include head jerking, shoulder shrugging, eye blinking, and facial grimacing. Complex motor tics are a combination of these types of movements. Simple vocal tics include repetitive throat-clearing, grunting, or sniffing, while complex vocal tics involve words or phrases. The most disabling tics involve self-harm such as punching oneself, calling out inappropriate words or swearing, and repeating others’ words. Tics can vary in frequency and severity, and may be heightened with excitement, anxiety, and certain physical or environmental triggers.

Many people with Tourette syndrome also have neurobehavioral problems like hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behavior.

Tourette syndrome can be a chronic disease. However, symptoms are typically the worst during the early teenage years and show improvement in the late teens and adulthood. For some with Tourette syndrome, symptoms will mostly go away in adulthood and no longer require treatment. But for approximately 10%-15% of people with Tourette syndrome, the disease lasts into adulthood.

Initially, tics are often misdiagnosed or attributed to a developmental phase or another condition. Doctors typically give the diagnosis of Tourette syndrome after both motor and vocal tics have been present for at least one year. Diagnosis is based on medical history and a physical and neurological exam. There is no blood or laboratory test for Tourette syndrome, though some imaging may be used to rule out other conditions.

Most people do not require treatment for Tourette syndrome because their symptoms are not an impairment. However, some may find their tics interfere with their day-to-day function and desire treatment. No medication will completely eliminate tics, and there is no cure for Tourette syndrome.

Neuroleptics are the most common type of medication used for tic suppression, but effectiveness varies and depends on each specific individual.

Certain types of behavioral therapies can help reduce tics. Some people with Tourettte syndrome may also take medication to treat associated neurobehavioral symptoms like hyperactivity.

Current information on Tourette syndrome comes from a range of medical and scientific disciplines. Research efforts include genetic studies, neuroimaging, neuropathology, clinical trials, and epidemiology and clinical science.

For example, Alonso Zea Vera, MD, is using EEG to study brain responses in children with the goal of identifying a biomarker for Tourette syndrome and tic severity. His research is funded by the American Brain Foundation and the Tourette Association of America, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology.